Obama, first lady mourn Knuckles

OSO, Wash. (AP) — President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are mourning the loss of Frankie Knuckles, a Grammy-winning Chicago disc jockey known as the "Godfather of House Music."

Knuckles died last month at age 59. The cause was not available.

In an April 17 letter on White House stationery and addressed to Knuckles' family and friends, the president and first lady praise Knuckles as a trailblazer. They say his work helped open minds and bring people together by blending genres in a way that captured their attention and ignited their imaginations.

They say his legacy lives on in Chicago and on dance floors across the globe.

Both Obamas signed the letter. Chicago is their hometown.

They say that Knuckles will be dearly missed but that his spirit will remain a guiding force.